Cronyism and political interference weighs heavily on the Dadeldhura Multiple Campus, one of the influential educational institutes in Sudurpaschim Province established some 25 years ago.

On Thursday, frustrated students vandalised the campus protesting against three recent recruits, seen as political hiring, one each from the Nepal Communist Party, the Nepali Congress Party and the college administration.

On Friday, police arrested Jagat Air, president of the Free Student Union, and took him in custody for two days on the charge of vandalism. Pushpa Bhatta, a student leader, said, “Students vandalised the campus after we came to know that the vacancies in the campus were being filled even before the written tests were conducted. Jobs at the campus are offered to those who don’t even qualify for the positions purely on the basis of party favours and other personal interests.”

In recent years, political interference especially in the hiring process has had an adverse effect on the quality of teaching and learning in the campus. In the past, there were more than 5,000 students in the campus, but there are fewer than 40 students now. Currently, there are 77 professors and employees in the campus, in stark contrast to the number of students.

People close to campus administration and those with affiliations to political parties have been at the helm of running the campus in the past 12 years.

The campus has become a centre of political appointment over the years, student leaders said. “Though the campus chief tried to bring reforms and impart quality education, he could not do so because of political interference,” said Arjun Dhami, a student.  

Campus chief Gangadatta Uprety, however, did not wish to comment on the issue.

One of the professors said the campus chief cannot solve the problem. “The campus chief will be immediately transferred if he turns down the decision made by the political parties,” the professor said requesting anonymity for fear of reprisal.

Dadeldhura Multiple Campus has been a bastion for the student wing of the Nepali Congress.